New report shows progress, improvements needed within Santa Cruz PD
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) - A new report from the Independent Police Auditor shows the Santa Cruz Police Department has made progress with the way it handles complaints against officers.
Yet, improvement is still needed within internal investigations.
The OIR Group says its recommendations are based on a review of 20 internal investigations into alleged officer misconduct.
The 10 recommendations include the use of software to track all internal investigations, more thorough investigations of all allegations of misconduct, and improvements in supervisor training.
City council reviewed the report at its meeting on Tuesday.
Chief Bernie Escalante says many of those issues are already being addressed, including the purchase of software to track internal investigations.
Council members decided, by unanimous vote, that future auditor reports must include a summary of trends in complaints and the police department's plan to act on recommendations.
